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The time for pre-Ashes banter and selection guesses is almost over following Australia unveiled a 15-player lineup to confront England in the first Test. This extended lineup for the series opener indicates the necessity for composed heads during the fiery battle, with the newcomer selected for the first time instead of aggressive batsman Sam Konstas.

However with the batsman hitting stride and the remaining new players being a pair of fast bowling replacements, there is a recognizable feel to the team even without unavailable captain Pat Cummins. Here is how each player (presented in alphabetical order) will tackle the Bazball style, with a star rating showing their likely influence on the series beginning on 21 November.

1. Sean Abbott

The seasoned paceman is once again selected as a reserve following being a frequent presence in the white-ball teams in the past few years. With the captain's comeback remaining uncertain, and the remaining front-line attackers confronting a gruelling schedule, the veteran will aim to continue his recent success to remain in contention for a Test debut. ★☆☆☆☆

2. Scott Boland

The fourth best fast bowler in the team has turned into a object for the opposition for his modest returns during the 2023 Ashes as well as for his reserved nature away from the field. Yet the 36-year-old has not taken 62 wickets at an bowling average of 16.53 – featuring a three in three in his latest Test against West Indies – without being a force at international cricket and ought to welcome the unique chance to begin a campaign in the first match. ★★★☆☆

3. Alex Carey

The preferred gloveman is back in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes series looking to impress with the bat and his keeping, as well as for his involvement in a unforgettable incident when stumping Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in the last series. The 34-year-old is currently a considerably more assured batter if required to accelerate or help steer the tail with a decisive innings. ★★★★☆

Fourth. Brendan Doggett

The state fast bowler has been on the edges of the national team across the last few Test series and is returning after claiming 33 wickets – featuring eleven in the final – at an average of a respectable figure in the previous Sheffield Shield. An Test cap is now within reach while Cummins is injured and the key fast bowlers get ready for a gruelling five-match series in seven weeks. ★☆☆☆☆

5. Cameron Green

The highly-touted player had been targeted for the Test team from early in his journey even amid injury concerns, and the moment has come for him to make a major contribution to a crucial series. The 26-year-old was the best of the batting players while coming in at No 3 in difficult circumstances in the West Indies but might be preferred in the order to ensure he can also support the pace attack. If Green can feasibly be picked as a true all-rounder in Perth, or might have to be relied upon to bowl bulk overs later in the campaign, could be determined in the domestic round this week. ★★★☆☆

6. Josh Hazlewood

The metronomic fast bowler is at the height of his abilities following leading the limited-overs bowling and fine-tuning for the Ashes series during matches against the Indian team. The veteran’s consistent line and length, and touch of seam whether it be seam movement or swing, is certain to challenge the tourists’ aggressive method to batting, with the enduring concern if he can play four or maybe even all five matches. ★★★★☆

Seventh. Travis Head

The aggressive batter is crucial to Australia’s chances of seizing the initiative up to the opposition with his positive intent and propensity to hit massive scores as the stakes rise. A pair of hundreds against India recently, and the same the last time the English visited for a full series highlight his skills, while the 31-year-old has a talent of taking a breakthrough wicket with his occasional but underrated spin bowling. ★★★★★

Eighth. Josh Inglis

The second wicketkeeper in the team proved that he must also be viewed as a specialist batter when hitting a century at better than a quick rate on debut in the subcontinent. The player is most comfortable batting in the middle of the innings although he has demonstrated while captaining the team in limited-overs games that he has the flexibility to come in higher up, which could fit a consistent role as the concussion substitute. ★★☆☆☆

Ninth. Usman Khawaja

The seasoned keeps hanging on even amid calls for a changing of the guard at the opening position after tightening his grip on the first wicket with a double century in the subcontinent earlier this year. However after being one of many batters unable to deal with the Indian Jasprit Bumrah previously, the veteran requires a positive start against England’s pace cartel in what might be his farewell campaign to ensure he can make the call personally on when to hang up the baggy green. ★★☆☆☆

Tenth. Marnus Labuschagne

The ex top-ranked Test batter has left behind a dismal run and the disappointment of being dropped in the past to force his way again into the national team – and certainly the XI to feature in Perth. Labuschagne outstanding performance with five hundreds in his last eight innings could provide the selectors the assurance to back him to bat first if needed alongside the opener, although the batsman is more likely to worry England when playing at his favored first-drop. ★★★★☆

11. Nathan Lyon

The spinner was as notable for his missing presence as his dismissal performances following a muscle problem in the second match contributed to change the contest when the team visited England in the last series. The 37-year-old failed to deliver the domestic series he hoped for against the Indian team with only a modest haul last summer but recovered to be vital to Australia’s series sweeps in the subcontinent and the Caribbean. ★★★☆☆

12. Steve Smith (captain)

The Australian star batsman will step in to captain the side until C